STRESSES IN BEAMS

In general, a section of a loaded beam is subjected to axial load P, shearing force V, and bending moment M. The axial load will cause a uniform stress of P/A over the beam area A. The shearing force will cause a horizontal shearing stress, and the bending moment will cause flexural or bending stress.

Flexural stress :
Consider a beam to be loaded as shown. Assuming a positive moment M, the beam will deflect concave upward, with compression at the top fiber and tension at the bottom fiber. As the stress varies from compression to tension, there is an axis in the beam with zero strain and stress, called the neutral axis.

Obviously, the flexural or bending stress at a point/level in the beam section is directly proportional to the internal moment applied and the distance y of the point/level from the neutral axis.
The flexural stress is:

fb = My / IN.A.

Where; M = the internal moment y = the distance of the point (or level) from the neutral axis. IN.A. = moment of inertia of the section, with respect to its neutral axis. The neutral axis divides the section into two areas such that the total compressive force equals the total tensile force, and the moment caused by the couple force is equal to the internal moment. For these reason, the neutral axis coincides with the centroidal x-axis of the section.

Horizontal shearing stress: Consider again a beam as shown. If we examine the effect of the moment on each side of the differential element, dx, the resultant compression at the left is FL , and at the right is FR. If FL and FR are not equal, it will cause a horizontal shearing stress fv occuring under a plane, tending the plane to slide. It is derived that the horizontal shearing stress at a point or level is: VQ f v = -----I N.A. b

where: V = the shear at the section Q = A , statical moment about N.A., of the area beyond the level where fv is computed I N.A. = moment of inertia with respect to neutral axis. b = width of the beam section at the level where fv is computed

Comparison between flexural stress and horizontal shearing stress. 1. Flexural stress varies linearly with the distance from the neutral axis, while horizontal shearing stress varies quadratically; 2. Flexural stress is maximum at extreme fibers and zero at the neutral axis, while horizontal shearing stress is zero at the extreme fibers and maximum at the neutral axis. 3. Flexural stress acts normal the beam section, while horizontal shearing stress acts under a plane along the length of the beam. b For a rectangular beam: f b,max f b,max = [M(h/2)/[bh3 /12] = 6M/[bh2] h h/2 N.A. f v,max

V (bh/2)(h/4) f v,max = -------------------(bh3/12)(b)

f v,max = (3/2V)/[bh]

h/2

Unsymmetrical beam sections:

In determining stresses of unsymmetrical sections, the first thing to determine is the location of the neutral axis, after which the moment of inertia with respect to the neutral axis is then computed. Here the transfer formula of moment of inertia, or the parallel axis theorem , is then applied. The maximum flexural stress is determined using: f b,max = Mc/I N.A. where c = largest extreme fiber distance or the distance from N.A. to the top fiber ,or bottom fiber, whichever is farther.

The maximum shearing stress is obtained at the neural axis, and Q=A is computed using either the area above, or the area below N.A.

Problem: A beam is loaded as shown below. Determine the maximum flexural stress and horizontal shearing stress in the beam. Figure:
60 kN 30 kN

2m

4m 50mm

1m

Solution: Location of N.A.:

75mm 150mm 175mm 50mm

Atotal = (A i i )
N.A.

Ai

A ii

A 1 = 50(150) 75 562500 A 2 = 50(150) 175 1312500

15000 1875000
150mm
= 1875000/15000 = 125 mm.

Transfer formula for Moment of Inertia: (Parallel Axis Theorem) I x = I x + Ad2 c.g. I x = moment of inertia about the centroidal x-axis of the section A = area of the section d = distance from centroidal axis to axis of transfer x

d
x

I N.A. = 50(150)3 /12 + 50(150)(125-75)2 150(50)3 / 12 + 50(150)(175-125)2

= 14062500 + 18750000 +1562500 + 18750000 = 53,125,000 mm 4 f b,max = Mmax c/I N.A. c = 125 mm. (maximum extreme fiber distance, top fiber)

= 70 kN-m(1000 2 )( 125 )/53,125,000 = 164.71 Mpa.

f v,max = (V max Q)/(I N.A b)

35(1000)(390625) =--------------------------(53,125,000)(50) = 5.15 Mpa.

Q = 50(125)125/2) Q = 390625 mm3 b = 50mm.

moment about N.A. of area above it

Problem: For the same beam section and loading condition as in the previous problem obtain the (a) flexural stress at a point in the beam, 1 meter from the left support and 50mm from the top fiber, and (b) the horizontal shearing stress at midspan and 130mm from the top fiber. Solution: a)
50mm 50mm

b)
50mm

= 125mm N.A.

y=75mm 150mm

= 125mm N.A. 15mm 50mm

130mm 150mm

50mm

50 mm

150mm

150mm

Solution: (a) At 1 meter from the left support M = 35 kN.m At 50mm from the top fiber y = 125 50 = 75mm f b = M y /I N.A. = (35)(1000)2 (75)/ 53,125,000 mm 4 (b) At misdpan V= -25 kN. At 130 mm from top fiber Q= A = (50)(20)(15) + (150)(50)(50) = 390,000 mm3 b = 50 mm. f v = [VQ] /[I N.A b]

= 49.41 Mpa.

(25) (1000)(390,000) = -----------------------------(53,125,000)(50)

= 3.67 Mpa

Problem : For a beam with the same cross section as that in figure below, plot the shearing stress distribution across the beam at a section where the shearing force is V = 1800 lb. Solution:

Location of N.A. is at h/2 = 5 in. from the top fiber

8 in. 10 in.

I N.A = [8(10)3 /12] [6(8)3 /12] = 922.67 in4 f v1 = [VQ]/[I N.A. b] = 1800( 36)/ [922.67(8)] = 8.77 MPa. f v2 = [VQ]/ [I N.A. b] = 1800( 36)/ [922.67(2)] = 35.11 MPa. fv,max = [VQ]/[I N.A b] = 1800(52)/[922.67(2)] = 50.72MPa Q =(8)(1)(4.5) =36in3 b = 8 in. Q = (8)(1)(4.5) = 36 in3 b = 2 in. N.A. Q = (8)(1)(4.5) + 2[(4)(1)(2)] = 52 in3 b = 2 in.

6 in.

8 in.

fv1 fv,max

fv2

Rolled beam sections: Rolled beams are standardized in its dimensions. Most common shapes are I , C and L sections. I-sections are called wide flange(W) , Standard beam(S), miscellaneuos standard beam(MS), depending upon the proportion of the I-section. C-sections are called Channels. L-sections are called angle bars. The maximum flexural or bending stress or rolled beams is simplified to: f b,max = M/S Srequired = M/ Fb where S = I N.A /c called the section modulus.

where Fb = allowable flexural stress

The most efficient rolled beam section is the one with S greater than Srequired ,and with the smallest weight per length..